Cullen sighed as he looked at the requisition order he was signing to send to Kirkwall. He was about ready to head straight for Belathen's quarters and growl at her for forcing this on him. Instead, he gave his world-weary grumble and signed while adding a letter to the request to Guard-Captain Aveline.

*Guard Captain-

I wish to thank you for your support of the Inquisition in this unusual requirement with which we find ourselves. I must admit to personal befuddlement over the issue myself and would appreciate any reports and data you have on the usefulness of cherrywood 'Don't' signs as a deterrent. I also find the surreal need to ask that if a different wood is suggested that you alter this order.*

Maker had he just written that sentence? The odd things love makes you do. Mayhaps an elvish rogue with a black sense of humor was the wrong choice for Inquisitor. Though she definitely did wonders for the Commander...

Cullen had just affixed his seal to this last letter of the day when his door opened. He looked up and immediately found a smile come to his lips. "You're early."

"I had little else demanding my attention this evening," Dorian explained. "Is that... alright?"

"I was just finishing anyway." Cullen's assurance seemed to break some unseen barrier and allowed Dorian to find some missing confidence. Cullen gestures for the other man to join him as he reached into the lowest drawer of his desk.

Bel had been extremely thorough in cleansing Cullen's office. The minute she realized the temptation lyrium presented she had snuck in when he wasn't there. In the familiar drawer was now instead tea leaves and a bottle of alcohol. The bottle was what Cullen brought out now- the first time he had opened it. Dorian nodded, glad for something to relieved the last bit of tension involved. Cullen looked much calmer, but his heart was racing just as fast.

"So."

Cullen nodded. "So indeed."

"I'm afraid I'm not particularly familiar with how something like this goes." The admission was comforting.

"Nor am I," Cullen admitted. "I typically make a mess out of... matters of the heart."

"Then we come from common ground." Dorian finished his drink, faster than he had anticipated. "I could suggest we see what comes naturally..."

Cullen laughed. Hard. "I'm sorry. It's just that what comes natural to ME is very- awkward."

Dorian chuckled. "Well my standard is to play hard to get. Not an easy thing when I'm so obviously already gotten. So natural is out of the question."

Cullen knew he was likely had what Bel called his amused predator look. He didn't care. This WAS amusing. "So now what?"

"We could move on to something more primal." It started conversationally, like the Tevinter could be talking about the weather, but the way the last word rolled off his tongue was positively maddening.

"I just might like that. Upstairs?" The commander gestured to the ladder, inviting Dorian to join him. He stepped up the ladder, shaking his rear end slightly. That got the mage rushing to join him.

It wasn't until several hours later, when Dorian was standing completely naked in the middle of the room, that Cullen got feedback.

"This place is actually charming."

"Really?" Cullen let his amusement out, almost laughing.

"Dare I ask why there is a giant hole in your ceiling?"

Cullen paused, sighing. Dorian had been a very close friend these last months, and Cullen had confided his attempts and newfound success at dismissing lyrium from his life. But this was different territory. Only one other person really knew how bad it was, and that was Lavellan. Still...

"The truth? When the withdrawal is at its worse I find it necessary to have a place to cool down. The open air helps the sweats."

"Ah. I see." Dorian sat back on the bed beside his newest partner. "Sorry. I didn't realize."

"It's not something I publicize," Cullen pointed out. "How would you know?"

"Point conceded." Tentatively, Dorian reached out for Cullen's hands and held them a minute before continuing. "I was wondering about what happens next. We've had our fun- you have your Bel, it's perfectly reasonable to leave it there. But you don't strike me was the type for random promiscuity. You did say something about wondering where this leads. Did you find an answer?"

Cullen felt his eyebrows raise. "What do you want, Dorian?"

"All on me, then?"

"By no means. But this does affect you as well."

Dorian sighed. "I like you, Cullen. But I also... I worry for Belathen. Are you sure..?"

Cullen choked and laughed. "Trust me, if Bel had an issue we would not be here. She knows I am... to use your words, not prone to random promiscuity. But tonight was something I will not soon forget."

Dorian had to laugh at the assessment. "Arch demons, ancient magisters- and here we are falling in..." The Tevinter stopped short of the word, choosing instead to just lay back down. "I think this is infinitely more important."

"As do I."